Background Question

[frogluver]

I want to get a couple good backdrops to start out with, but the canvas or muslin ones cost a lot more money than I can afford right now! Is there another kind of fabric that I can use that still gives the same quality, but costs a lot less?

I looked in walmart at thier fabric section and saw a lot of different velux material that I thought would work, but wasn't sure.

I also thought of purchasing some of the fabric for posing purposes, such as over a chair or later.

I don't want my pictures to look cheap. I've tried a black sheet before, but it looked washed out, maybe it was my lighting...

[Inked Photography]

When I first started and still today I have used sheets. I noticed when I used black sheets I had to double up. Not the white though. Lighting placement is crucial. I have seen some creative backgrops from friends as well. From using PVC pipe as a frame with foam in the center and sheets on top of that. Even some homemade soft box's. So just be creative and come up with something that works for you. One of my friends even used wax paper as a diffuser. There is no limits. So have fun trying.

[highbarger]

If you want a nice BLACK background, the velux material that you mentioned will photograph much darker than black sheets will. But as Inked mentioned, your lighting will make a big difference especially if you can control the 'spill' on the background.

[kgphoto]

Use natural existing walls. Don't bother with "crap" seamless backdrops. Anything that will look good, will still be expensive. Velvet makes the best black, but is very expensive and you have to sew a bunch together.

So bite the bullet and buy a gray seamless paper and a couple of stands.

Then, when you can afford it, by a large piece of muslin from an online supplier. Later add black and white paper to the bunch.

I can make gray paper go from black to gray to light just by adjusting the light on it, but that supposes you have enough budget for the lights. Don't make more work for yourself. Take off the stress by finding out how to work with what you have. A light colored stucco wall makes a very nice background.

[frogluver]

Thanks for all the help!

[Ed Shapiro]

Hi Gang!

I think that more should be said about backgrounds and background usage. The reason is that of all the equipment that photographers own, the only things that actually end up as part of our photographs- in our images- are our backgrounds. Before my recommending anything let's talk about what functions your background(s) have in creating successful images. Here's a list:

• The background helps isolate the subject and avoid distractions and clutter in your composition.
• It provides color or tonal mass which gives your images more depth and dimensionality.
• Certain kinds of backgrounds impart a painterly classical ambiance to your images.
• The color or tone of the background can alter the KEY of the image and create contrast between the subject and the background.

Since you need to isolate the subject and avoid distractions, especially in portraiture, you don't want a background that is too busy- that would defeat its purpose. There are many background materials that can be used provided that they are not overly lighted and kept out of focus. Many traditional portraitists prefer to work at wide apertures thereby creating shallow depth of field for that purpose.

I don't usually use a jet black background even in low key portraiture, I find that a bit of color and texture provide more color or tonal mass behind the subject and therefore creates more dimensionality and depth. Jet black backgrounds often look like cut and paste jobs or those 1950s velevet "painting" of Elvis and bull fighters. When there is some mass behind the subject the viewer feel that they can enter the image and walk around the subject.

There are many variations in utilizing various kinds of home made and commercially available backgrounds. The use of a background light is one factor and the color, surface and contrast of the background are the other important factors. Some backgrounds will require the use of a dedicated background light and others will record nicely with just some spill form the other lights in any given system. Background lights can also be equipped with colored gels to alter the color of a neutral background.

My preference is a painted old masters type of classical background. I like a more contrasty pattern which gives me the texture I need. I can obtain many different effects from the same background depending on the lighting, depth of field and the portion of the background that is used. In my low key work, I make sure that the background is rendered very subtly.

Some ideas for makeshift backgrounds are:

• Old or imitation oriental carpets.
• Printed fabrics.
• Textured floor coverings.
• An "old masters" type of background painted on a wall- a do-it-your-self project.
• Tie dyed bed sheets.
• Strand and garlands of tinsel- the kind used for Christmas decorating can make interesting theatrical portraiture backgrounds when the are sufficiently out of focus and lighted from the side.

Colors- Cold colors such as green and blue bring out the warmth in the skin tone. Cold colors also tend to visually recede and therefore add more depth or the illusion of space to the image. Warm colors such as brown and earth tones tend to project forward and therefore impost more of an old fashioned monochromatic feel to the image.

Paint your own- You can do this on a wall, a large piece of sized awning type canvas or a large window shade. Prime the wall and then lay in a base coat of black or dark gray flat latex paint. When it throughly dry, add in the texture and colors with paint brushes and natural sponges. You can create an even density across the entire surface of leave a lighter area in the middle so that you don't need a background light- this is very handy in a small space. As you paint view the background through the camera with a similar lighting to what you would use for portraiture. Make some tests with the background out of focus and when you see what you want-, stop painting. You can add more if you like or if you want to start over again, just apply another base coat and try again. Check with you supplier and order paints without ultraviolet brighteners in it. Theses paint can fluoresce under electronic flash lighting and cam glow in an iridescent manner causing hot spots and unevenness in the background.

Buy 1 good background for starters- It may be wise to invest in one good background and add to your collection as you progress. As per the list above, you can improvise the others.

Search on the Internet for:

• The Denny Manufacturing Company
• The Pierce Company

Denny's "Monte Green" is a good choice.

Seamless Paper- Seamless paper is not "crap". It can be a bit difficult to use because of its unworldly size and bulk. It is handy if a specific color is needed for commercial or specialized portrait work. White is a good choice for high key portraiture. "Studio Gray" can go from charcoal to almost white depending on the background lighting. A medium gray can make for a very clean background. For full length shots, create a cyclorama effect by rolling the paper down on the floor with a sweeping transition- no floor or horizon showing. A clean white high key background can be achieved by lighting the background with 2 lights, placed at 45 degrees on each side and aimed at the background. Barn doors are used to prevent flare and spill on the subject.

I hope this helps. Ed

[Stephanie C.]

I have to agree with the comments to be creative! I have used tulle wedding decorations to make a beautiful soft cloudy looking backdrop with window light.
Check out your local home center. I picked up a nifty piece of Black & white checkered vynil flooring (looks cool with seniors who are in auto mechanics class!).
Paneling, wallpaper covered board, Big drapes from the thrift store all make interesting backgrounds.
If you insist on a muslin or canvas, take a peek at eBay. Tim West Backgrounds have some gorgeous muslins (I own one called Chocolate Pudding) very, very reasonable! Sometimes companies like Amvona & Backdrop Outlet will auction some of their overstock merchandise there.
I'm a photographer on a budget too...seek and you shall find!
Steph

[kgphoto]

Originally Posted by Ed Shapiro

Seamless Paper- Seamless paper is not "crap".. Ed

hey Ed,

I just thought I should clarify my point. I didn't mean that seamless paper is crap. You notice I suggested that he get some later in the same post.

What I meant to convey is don't buy some cheap, crappy, thing to substitute for the real deal. By the time you buy the material and sew it together, you will be almost at the same cost as a store bought background or a roll of "real" seamless paper.

Didn't want to give you the wrong impression.